Capsule-filling machine.



A. BOLTON.

a GAPSULB FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION .YILED APB..8, 1912.

Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Atturm-g;

A. COLTON.

CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE.

APPLIGATIbH FILED APB..8,1912.

Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHBET 2,

mimnasr s Mum's A. OQLTON. APSULE FILLING MACE E.

APPLKCATION FILED APRB, L912.

Patented Nov. 4, 1913 7 SHEETS SHEEI 34 A. COLTON.

CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED APB..8,1912

1,077,392, Patented N0v.4, 1913.

'7 SHEETS--SHEET 4.

iluurntnr Mam A COLTON. CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED APE.8,1912.

1,077,392, Patented l vov. 4, 1913.

7 GREETS-SHEET 6.

A. CGLTON. CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION Z'XLIJD APRB, 1912! Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

zwz

A. 001 mm. CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1912.

Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

7 BHEETSSHEET 7.

Atmrnry,

M. M? Z UNITED sfrar srrirnnr OFFICE.

ARTHUR COLTON, 013 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR- T0 ARTHUR COLTON COMPANY, OF DETROIT. MICHIGAN, A CQRPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

CAPSULE-FILLING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

Application filed April 8, 1912. Serial No. 689,341.

To all whom it may (5012115772! Be it known that I, ARTHUR Conroy, a citizen of the l nited States. residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Capsule Filling Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full. clear, and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings. and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to capsule filling machines. and consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set, forth and pointed out more particularly in the claims.

The object of the invention is to provide comparatively simple and etficient means for automatically feeding gelatin capsules and arranging them in proper position; separating the caps from the bodies of the carp suit-s; filling one of the parts of the capsules with medicine; joining the capsule pa rts to retain the medicine therein; and dis charging the filled and joined capsules from the machine.

The invention contemplates such an operative association and arrangement of parts as'vvill render unnecessary the granulating of the medicine prior to the operation of filling. and such further arrangement of parts as will enable an accurate filling of the capsulcs with respect to bulk or Weight. The above object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which Figure l is an clevation of one side of the machinc. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. is a longitudinal sectional view as on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view partly in section illustrating the manner of feeding the capsules to the traveling disk in Which'the operations of unjoining and joining the capsule parts take place. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the suction head, a portion of the traveling disk, and a part of the spout through which the capsules are fed to said disk. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the suction head. Fig. 7 is an elevation partly in section of the mechanism for rotating the hopper in which the capsules are placed and of the means for feeding the capsules and presenting them in proper. position to the tube in which they are conveyed to the traveling disk wherein they are unioined prior to filling. and rejoined after being filled. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing the means employed for presenting the capsules properly to the feeding tube when they reach said means in an improper position. Fig. 9 is a similar view showing ho a capsule improperly presented will be di ected properly into said tube. Fig. 10 is a similar view showing how a capsule reaching the tube in proper position will be directed into it Without any further operation. Fig. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal section through one of the reciprocatory and rotary spindles in which the bodies of the capsules are held while being filled. Fig. 12 is a. detail in section showing the rotary tray in which the medicine is contained from which the capsules are filled, and the means em ployed for maintaining said material at a constant level to insure a uniform filling of the capsules. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the rotary drum carrying the cam ring which raises and lowers the spindles, and of the plate which supports and reciprocates said spindles over the medicine tray. Fig. 14 is i an edge elevation of said drum. Fig. 15 is a similar elevation from a. differentpoint of view. Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section illustrating the operation of unjoining a capsule. Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section illustrating the operation of joining a filled capsule. Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section showing the operation of discharging a filled capsule from the machine.

In the unbodimcnt of the invention illustrated herein I have provided for a manipulation of thc cmpty't apsules so as to present them properly to a rotary disk in which they ..re unjoined. in which disk one of the capsule parts remains while the other part is being filled. and wherein thefilled part is joined to the other part prior to the operation of discharging the filled capsule, the operation being such that the function of the machine in filling the capsules is similar to the operation'of filling them by hand, insuring a uniformity in respect to the quantity or weight of the medicine with which the capsules are filled, and obviating the neces sity of granulating the medicine or otherwise specially preparin it to enable a proper filling of the capsu Referring to the drawings by the char sented in pass without interruption into the actors of reference marked thereon, 1 dcsig machine To provide for owing the eapnates the frame of the machine, which mt SltltS uh th are inunmpe ly prescnterh and be of any suitable construction, and in which to allow those uhich in" prop rly prcwnt il is journaled the main driving shaft 2 turned to pass into the suction tu e 2?. there is on through the medium of a pulley 23 mounted pin veil a ctr nneled ohm-l 12$ which is so on the end thereof from any suitable source disposed as to nd :nliarent the discharge of power. end of the eonieyer bcit fl, and to partially The empty capsules are placed in a hopper embrace between the flang s thereof the at, the bottom 15 of Which is mounted upon l upper end of the. suction tub )7, n rrangethe upper end of an inclined shaft The tnent clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, the upper lower end of said shaft carries a beveled end of aid tube being located just below gear 6 which meshes with a beveled pinion th it; e nd of the conveyor belt. The 7 on the transverse shaft 8. Upon the outer width of the channel 29 in the Wheel 28 (see end of shaft 8 a worm gear 9 which l; islcs's than the diameter of the caps meshes with a Worm 10 on a short shale ll. :30 o l the capsule but is of greater diameter Upon shaft it is a. pulley 12 driven by a th :1 the bodies Si of Ellil capsules. Said belt 13 from a pulley 14 on the main shaft .-l is driren to rotat to the left at a By means of this arrangement the bot comp:ratively low rate of speed. As an tom 15 of the hopper 4 is caused to rotate empty capsule is fed along; on the conveyor at the desired speed. In the bottom 15 of belt between the sides of, the trough 23 the hopper at the perimeter thereof are should the cap 30 of said capsule extend pockets to adapted to receive an empty for-tunnel it will be carried into engagcn'icnt capsule. Below the rotary bottom of said nith the channeled wheel 28, and because of 5 hopper is a stationary bottom 17. Formed the fact that the diameter of said cap is 9 through said stationary bottom on the high too large to enter the channel 29 in said side thereof, and. at its perimeter, is a dis wheel the cap will be engaged by the flanges i charge opening 18 (see Fig. 7). Secured of said wheel and its forward end will be to the stationary Wall of the hopper, and lifted upwardly, as illustrated in Figs. 4, fclisposed so as to brush the rotary bottom 8 and J until the bodyenil 'of the capsule 15 is a brush it). As the rotary bottom of passes the end ol the conveyor belt 21 when the hopper revolves the empty capsules will said capsule will drop into the upper end he carried upwardly thereon, and the brush of the suction tube 27. Should the capsule 19, as the pockets in the hopper bottom pass be presented with the body portion thereof thereunder, will brush therefrom all but one foremost it will not be acted upon by the capsule so as to insure the depositing of wheel 28 owing to the fact that the diameter an empty capsule in each of the pockets 16 of said bod; portion is less than the Width of the hopper bottom, as said pockets, by of the channel in said wheel, thereby allowthe rotation of the bottom, are caused to inn the capsule to tilt from the conveyer successively PQSS said brush. Each of the bolt downwardly into the tube 27 with the 05 pockets 16 as it reaches the high point in body portion foremo t, as clearly shown in the rotation of the hopper bottom, will reg- Fig. lt Mo ment is imparted to the chanistcr with the opening 18 in the fixed bottom thr ugh the medium of the 17, causing the empty capsule to drop mounted on the shaft of said through said opening 18 ontt' a short" inwheel 28 and rewiring movement from the 1 0 clined chute 20. At the lower end of the belt 53 which paw over a pulley 34 on chute 20 is a belt conveyer 21 which passes the shaft and over a second pulley 35 on over a driving pulley 22 (see Fig. 4). Said the shaft of the pulley 29, said belt 33 being conveyor travels on the bottom of a trough ltepi' taut by means of the idle pulley 36, all guide 23 and loops over the end thereof, more learly shown in Fig. 4. returning on the under side over the idle (hunter-red with the lower portion of the pulley 24 which is mounted on the pivoted straight tube 37 is a curved tube 37 (see arm 25 and is held in contact with the (Iflll' For. i through. which the capsules are reyer belt by the force of the spring .26, drawn from the tube 27 in a manner here- 5 whereby said conveyer belt is kept at the matter explained, Disposed in a horizontal 12o proper tension. plane above the free end of the curved tube In the operation of this machine it is necill a rotor disk 35 having capsule receivessary that: the empty capsules be fed to the in eils or in'it'lltlf- 39 therein. Fitted over machine with the body portion thereof liret the upper oi the dish 38 above the poiht or foremost. As the capsules are deposited 5 of rein nunication of the curved tube 37 onto the conreyer belt 2t haphazardly pro i there-wit i I a hollow suction head 40 which \ision must; be made for rest-rang the rap- 'l to cause the cells or pockets sules in all cases where they are )rescntcd l l; to pass thereunder as said with the wrong; end foremost, and or'allowl d'nk revolver- (lonr'iectcd with the hollow 65 ing the capsules which are properly prel head i is an air suction pipe 41 which communicates with any suitable means for exhausting air so as to maintain a strong flow of air through said 1' and through the hollow head '40, new y the capsules are drawn from the curved tube 27 into the pockets 35) of the disk 38 as fast as said pockets, by the rotation of said disk, are brought into alinement with the open end of the tube 37. By this means the cells or pockets of the disks 38 are successively filled with empty capsules rapidly as said cells are presented over the open end of the tube 37. To hold the capsules in the cells of the disk 38 after they shall have been drawn thereinto by the operation of the suction head 40, there is provided below the disk 38 a supporting track 42 (see Fig. 4) which engages the caps of the capsules and prevents the capsules from falling from-said cells or pockets.

In order to allow the upwardly extending ends of the bodies 31 of the capsules to pass from the hollow head 40 said head is provided with a hinged door 43 to close the end thereof, which will yield and swing upwardly as the projecting ends of the body portions of the capsules engage it, allowing the capsules to pass from said head without injury, the air suction being sufficient to return the door to its closed position after a capsule shall have passed thereunder.

The operation of unjoining the capsules or separating the bodies from the caps takes place immediately after the capsules pass from the suction head, and is accomplished through the medium of the rotatable and vertically reciprocatory spindles 4A. These spindles are mounted in a rotary disk 45 to slide and revolve in the bearing sleeves -16 depcmling from said disk, and at the same time are carried in the are or" a circle as said disk revolves. Rotation is imparted to the disk through the medium of a hollow shaft 47 (see Fig. 3) which carries said disk at its upper end. Movement is imparted to said hollow shaft through the medium of a gear 48, secured thereto near its lower cud, meshing with a gear 49 on a short vertical shaft 50 mounted in the bed of the machine and carrying at its lower end a worm gear 51 which in turn meshes with a worm 52 on the main shaft 2. The hollow shaft l? is sup 'iortcd by a vertical standard .33 which passes thercthrough and is riyidlv mounted in the bed of the machine. The disk 38, in which the capsule receiving cells 3%) are formed, is mounted on the hollor. shaft 47 to be revolved thereoy through the medium of a rino 5i projecting time from to which the disk 38 is rcmovably connected by screw bolts 55,

Upon each of the spindles 44 is a pinion 55 which meshes with the teeth of a circular rack mounted on the reduced end 58 of the vertical standard 53. Also mounted on the reduced upper end 58 of the standard 53 is a cam drum 59 which is disposed over the rack 57, said drum and rack being locked to said standard by means of a nut 60, which, when screwed downwardly, forces the hub of the rack 57 against the shoulder 61 on the standard 53, whereby the rack and drum are held against rotation while the disk 45 is permitted to turn with the hollow shaft 47.

Upon the upper end of each of the spindles i4 is a collar 62. Each of said spindles 4i is hollow and extending longitudinally therethrough is a vertically reciprocatory plunger 63 ()see Fig. 11). Upon the upper end of each p unger is a cap (34:, and embracing each plunger between the collar 62 of the spindle 44 and said cap is a compressible spring 65. The lower ends of the spindles 44 are slotted as shown at 66 to afford a slight spring action thereto, and in the lower end of said spindle is formed a socket adapted to receive the body portions 31 of the capsules. Passing nearly around the circumference of the cam drum 59 is a cam track 67 upon which the collars 62 of the. spindles 44 are adapted to ride as said spindles are caused to travel in the arc of a circle through the rotation of the disk 45 in which they are seated. This cam track is provided with high and low points therein to effect a proper vertical movement of the spindles in succession during the circular travel thereof, for purposes hereinafter explained.

The arrangement is such that the disks 38 and 45 rotate in unison, and the spindles 4-1 are so positioned as to stand at all times in direct vertical alinement with the capsule cells 39' in the disk 38. As the disk 45 revolves the spindles -14 are carried around in a circle and are caused to revolve in their supporting sleeves 46 because of the engagement of the pinions 56 thereon with the teeth of the stationary rack 57. As the rotation of the disk 4-3 carries the spindles over the suction head 40 the formation of the cam track 67 is such as to lift said spindles so that their lower ends will carry over said suction head, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. After passing the suction head the spindles are allowed to drop by reason of the low point 68 in the cam track, as shown in Fig. 14. As said spindles drop at this point their lower ends engage over the body portions 31 of the capsules in the cells 39 of the disk 38, and because of theslightspring action due to the slots 66 therein thebodiesof the capsules are clamped in the sockets of the spindles with sufficient tension to enable the spindles to withdraw the bodies 31 of the capsules from the caps 30 as said spindles are lifted by the incline 69 of the cam track, as shown in Fig. 16. By this arrangement the caps and bodies are unjoined, and while the bodies are retained in the sockets of the splnllhm the maps move armnnl in timed n+- lnllwn timrcwith in the capsule cells: of the I It. wlll he noted on rol'srring t Figs. 13, 1 1 and 15 that the cum lmav unlinuml for a distance on one .9

ha 'hrum i). Spanning ilnis; c- -=:-n the tbnninals of said mm 1, Wufl concentric with the drum, f :1 pl. T0 which is fast to the upper 0nd of n rm Tl :nlnplcd to rmrlpro cute vurlnrnlly i'hl'uugh a standard Tnlsue Fig; 12) r pawn} 170m tha hc-d of the mm: lmxsr end of the l'ml Tl extend: i? a N; standard '72 and bears npnn. :1 (mm Y3 uni to the main shafL 2.

d cam is such that as the valves; the rod. Tl is given a. w upw wry movement, n'npuru nmwmenc to the plate. 7 .\lOUi'l?-fd 0 1"0- mic upon the standard "2 is a h-ullnw shaft cm'rving at ils upper and :1 shallnw imy T5 and having at its lower end. :1. gin: wmatl 76. This gear wheel meshes with an idle 77 (see Fig. 1) which in turn meshes with the ear 49, which, as nlrfiudy plained, is riven from the. worm on we hafi 2, Wheruby a rotary n'mve t.- ni SlOW speed is imparted to the tray W .m n3 3 ml {u contain the medicinal nl:" wich which lhu capsules are filled. lam I32 03? the spindles 44, MW]: leaving;

iqrmina]. of ihe 0am track pass cnl'o plaw '1' 0 which is so dispose. n (1e said collars, the arrangement new.

that a numhnr of the spindles Ly said plate at the same lih'nfi, .whnwn in Fig. 2. As the plan- T can?! the s 'wndlcs are quite rapidly and. rnisml having the period llwy 1 nailed by mid plate, and the. run 'n parts is sur'h that wlmn the l l 5: m l

Mimi 5mm t l .nn'iv,

"(7 47am track, thereby n 9% on mud track at n 17.5 mm

From the pnint when: he

spinal are deposited 0mm {he mm ($210k flmn in; .ipmcatory plate 4'0 snii'l M11031; du ceznls. shown In Fig. 1, Hll-UWUEQ tlm nme a lower plane inzn' of lhe capsules held 7.11 2

lawn Mui ml; m i reciaxl into the 0pm; in naps heiil in. the

cells 1 al; and aim capsule Xvinml Elm shown in Fig. 17.

Mural l'hm the. trask -l2 is under the dial: 38, afs of the capduring the .ne nut where l0 flu: point where "I Zifit'r. the bodies the filled I pro I 7% wlinal: is disnnqvr i ha {if fi m spindles m. vi (w 1.; 64 um'ried eyilhxh Pugh the Us i "ngers to enga ge inm illauni w. in" gs;

filling thereof. It will further be noted that the rotary movement of the spindles at the time the bodies and caps are brought together after filling facilitates the joining of said parts.

It will now be understood that by means of this apparatus empty capsules may be fed into the machine and properly positioncd to enter the capsule receiving cells in the rotary disk, that the capsules may be unjoined in said disk, 'and while the caps remain therein the bodies may be rapidly and accurately filled, and that after the operation of filling, the parts of the capsules may be joined and discharged from the machine in a perfect state, the operation of filling being so similar to that of hand filling as to enable the capsule bodies to be filled with the medicinal substance in its natural state without the necessity of previous granulation or other treatment.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A machine for filling capsules, comprising capsule feeding mechanism, means for unjoining the capsule parts, a tray to contain medicinal substance, means for dipping the 0 en end of a capsule part into said tray to 11 it with said substance, and means for joining the capsule parts after the operation of filling.

2. A machine for filling capsules, comlprising feeding means, a traveling member aving therein a capsule receiving cell into which a capsule is directed, means for lifting one part of a capsule from the other while in said cell, a tray adapted to contain medicinal material, means for reciprocating the lifted part of the capsule in said tray to fill the open end thereof with medicine, and means for joining together the capsule parts in said cell after the operation of fillmg.

3. A capsule filling machine, comprising capsule feeding mechanism, a holder into which the capsule is fed, a vertically movable spindle to engage a part of the capsule and Withdraw it from the part in said holder, a tray containing medicinal mate rial, means {or reciprocating said spindle over said tray to dip the open end of the capsule part carried thereby into said material, means for moving the spindle and cap sule holder in unison to carry both parts beyond said tray, and means for actuating the spindle to join the capsule parts.

4:. A machine for filling capsules, comprising capsule fceding mechanism, a mov able holder into "which a capsule is fed, a vertically movable spindle adapted to lift one part of a capsule from the other in said holder, a tray for medicinal material, means for carrying the spindle to said tray and from it, means for reciprocating said spindle over said tray to fill the capsule part carried thereby, and means for joining the capsule parts after the operation of filling.

5. A capsule filling machine, comprising capsule feeding mechanism, a movable holder into which the capsules are fed, a vertically movable spindle adapted to engage a capsule part in the holder and unjoin the capsule, a tray to contain medicinal material, means for carrying the spindle to said tray and from it, means for reciprocating the spindle over said tray to fill the capsule part, means for rotating said spindle, and means for joining the capsule parts after the operation of filling.

G. A capsule filling machine, comprising capsule feeding mechanism, a traveling member having cells into which the capsules are directed, a plurality of movable spindles adapted to engage capsule parts in said cells and unjoin the capsules, a tray to contain medicinal material, means for presenting a plurality of said spindles to said tray, means for reciprocating said spindles over said tray while they are moving across it to fill the capsule parts carried thereby, means for moving the traveling member concurrently with the movement of the spindles, and means for actuating the spindles to join the filled portions of the capsules to the portions remaining in the cells of the traveling member.

7. A capsule filling machine, comprising capsule feeding mechanism, a rotary disk having cells into which the capsules are fed, a plurality of rcciprocatory spindles mounted to travel in a circle above said disk in vertical alinoment with the cells therein, mcans for rotating said spindles about their axes While they are traveling in the are of a circle, means for reciprocating the spindles vertically during their rotary travel, a tray for medicinal material over which the spindles pass, said spindles being adapted before reaching said tray to successively engage the capsule parts in the cells and l ft one part from the other to unjoin them, said spindles retaining the lifted parts, means for reci 'irocating the spindles over said tray to fill the capsule parts carried thereby, means for actuating said spindles to join the filled parts to the parts remaining in the cells of the disk, and means for discharging the filled capsules.

A capsule filling machine, comprising tending mechanism, a traveling disk having cells into which the capsules are fed,spindles adapted to successively engage the capsule parts in said cells and enjoin the capsules, said spindles retaining one of the capsule parts, a tray to contain medicinal material, means for presenting the spindles over said tray and reciprocate them to fill the capsuie parts carried thereby, means for moving the spindles and disks to keep the cells in the disk in alincment with said sp ndles, means for actuating the sp. idles urescut compris ing cells with which one end of said tube successively registers during the movement. of said disk, and a Sliitlfill liea 'nucr which the cells in said disk successively pass, said head being disposed over the point of: cinnmunication of the suction lithe with said disk.

10. A capsule filling machine, comprising capsule feeding mecluuiism, caps, unjoin ing mechanism, a tray carrying medicinal material to which part of a. capsule is presented for filling, means or maintaining the powder in said tray at given level, and capsule joining means.

11, In a capsule filling machine, capsule feeding mechanism comprising a capsule carrier upon Wliiclrthc capsul are con veyed, capsule unjomiug lncchrmism, cap sule filling mechanism, capsule joining mechanism, and means at the discharge end of said carrier for ,revcr *apsule when the large end therc 'ii mtc il toremost.

12. In a capsule filling mac ine. capsule feeding mechanism compris u a couveyer on which the capsules are dep ited, a suction tube, means at the end of said converts): for directing the small end of the capsules into said tube, and a traveling: member having cells adapted to receive the -;:apsulcs disposed to successively register 1 the dis-- charge end of said tube as .d member travels.

13. In a capsule filling machine, capsule. feeding mechanism comprising: a capsulecarrier upon which the capsules are conveyed in horizontal position, means at the discharge end of said. carrier for reversing the capsules when the large end thereel: is presented foremost, and a feeding tube into which the capsules are directed.

14. In a capsule filling machine. capsule feeding mechanism comprisii 7 carrier upon which the capsules are conveyed, a reversing Wheel at the dmcharce end of said carrier for changing a capsul:- end for and a guide into which capsules re de posited.

15. In a capsule filling machine, capsule feeding mechanism conun'ising a horizon tally movable carrier, and a rcwrsing wheel at the end of said carrier against which the capsules are directed.

16. In a capsule filling machine, eapsui feeding mechanism coi'nprising an endless .,,llCll ,il1 to rec *ive the ca isules. a. liravclin dish havcarrier upon which the capsules are conved, means adjacent saidrarrier for reversing capsules, and a guide into which the capsules are deposited.

' 1?, lo a capsule filling machine, capsule feeding i'nechanisui cmnpi'isiug a capsule carrier upon which capsules are conveyed. an upwardly traveling reversing member at the end of said carrier against which capsules are directed, and a guide to receive capsules.

1%. In a capsule filling machine, capsule Feeding mechanism comprising a capsule carrier upon which capsules are conveyed, and an upwardly moving channeled memher at the end of said carrier against which capsules are directed by the n'ioveinent of the carrier for reversing them.

it). A capsule fillingmachine comprising capsule feeding mechanism, a holder into which the capsule is fed, vertically movahle spindle to engage a part of the capsule and withdraw it from a part in said holder, means for filling one of the separated parts of the capsule with medicinal material, u'ieangs for moving the spindle and capsule holder to carry them into registering alinemcnt after the operation of filling, and u'ieans for joining the capsule parts.

30. A capsule filling machine comprising capsule feeding mechanism, a holder into which the capsule is fed, a vertically movalile spindle to engage a partof the capsule and uithdraw it from a part in. said holder, means for filling one of the separated parts of the capsule with medicinal material, means for moving the spindle and capsule holder to carry them into registering alinewent after the operation of filling, and means for actuating the spindle to carry the capsule part'carried thereby into engagement with the capsule part in the holder to effecta joining of the capsule members.

21. In a capsule filling machine, the combination of a capsule feeding device comprising means for singling out capsules, means for carrying said capsules in longitudinal position to a selecting member, and a magazine adapted to receive the selected capsules.

In a capsule filling machine, the combination of a capsule feeding device comprising means for singling out capsules, means for presenting said capsules in longitudinal position to a position-rectifying device, and a magazine adapted to receive capsules from the rectifying device, substantially as described.

23. In a capsule filling machine, the combinutien of means for distributing capsules in angle file upon a horizontal carrier, means at the discharge end of said carrier l for rectifying the positions of the capsules,

:1 magazine tube adapted to receive said capsules, means at the lower end of the mag 1411!? tune tor delivering the capsules into receptacles in a carrier plate, meansfor unjoining the capsules, means for filling the capsules, and means for joining the cap 6 sules, substantially as described.

24. In a capsule filling machine, the combination of a position-rectifying mechanism for the capsules comprising a horizontally moving conveyer adapted to receive capsules 10 single file, a channeled Wheel in the path Ofithe capsules adapted to permit the capsnle whose small end is presented to the i l I wheel to tip the small unfl down into a receiving who, and to raise the large end of the capsule whose large end is presentedto said channeled Wheel until said. capsule drops with the small. end (lown into the receivii'lg tube, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I sign this spccifi cation in the presence of two Witnesses.

A RTHUR COLTON Witnesses J. OTTO BAFNZIGER, HELEN R.- MILLER. 

